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Screen tearing is one irritating moment when it happens on the screen, and it is a main cause of frustration for all hard – core gamers today. For players looking for quick response time and no lag, this thing can get pretty annoying. Do note that this problem is not only prevalent in low cost computers, but can be seen in the expensive ones as well. This crisis is now being fixed by two graphic synchronization technologies in the market, FreeSync and G-Sync facing of each other intensely.

Although the FreeSync by AMD and the G-Sync by NVIDIA work in the same niche, they market the technologies they employ in a completely different way. The hardware content of the two devices slightly differs. Also, note that the graphics card only work for the computers for which they are manufactured, they cannot be interchanged with each other. As a result, the customer will have to make the choice between the wisely.

What is frame tearing?

The process

Gamers who possess higher end monitors also face the problem of frame tearing. This is primarily caused when the refresh screen on the monitor does not match the frame rate as rendered by the graphics card. Do remember that a monitor that has a specification of 60Hz will refresh only at 60 frames per second constant, but the graphics rate produced by the card varies with the stuff that happens on the screen. Because of this, the moment your screen refreshes, maybe the graphics card has rendered a partial refresh only until then. As a result, the computer screen displays multiple frames at once that decrease the quality of the images rapidly and causes lag with the motion of the fast moving objects.

How to solve this?

In order to prevent the graphic card from being out of sync with the monitor, it has to be forced to match its power with the refresh rate of the monitor. That is what the AMD FreeSync and the NVIDIA G-Sync does. But many of the graphic devices are unable to keep up with the consistent need of 60 frames per second; as a result, the frames get repeated in sequence. This leads to lagging which can get even irritating than screen tearing.

The problem also arises because the graphics cards don’t really communicate with the monitor when anything is in progress. The two technologies solve this problem by enabling the communication. That is, the graphics card is given the command to control the frames per second, the monitor is running at. For instance, the monitor’s frame per second might reduce to a 49, 50 so that it syncs with the frame per speed as rendered by the graphics card. This removes the screen tearing effect and also removes the possibility of any screen lag from the FreeSync monitor and G-Sync Gaming Monitor. The impact is incredible, the images are much more seamless and even fast motion can be captured fluidly onto the screen. This benefits both the medium end machines and the higher end machines.

Now, let us get to the burning question. How is G-Sync different from FreeSync?

NVIDIA was the first entrant into the market and this was supported by Asus and Acer. The technology is amazing, but again, just like other great things, even this has a drawback. If the computer has to be fitted with the G-Sync, then the hardware in it must be compatible with the technology. And installing the hardware set like that is on the expensive side.

FreeSync

FreeSync on the other hand, employs the Adaptive Sync Standard. Although even this graphics card requires an external hardware, but since, many companies other than AMD also produce the same, the pricing is less due to the increased competition.

Other difference

Another difference between the two is the handling of the graphics card, especially when the produce more frames than the computer. The G-Sync locks a value of the frame rate as the upper limit for the computer, whereas the FreeSync will enable the graphics card to render the higher rate frames. This brings in screen tearing to some extent, but the lag is pushing for a minimum.

Which graphics cards are compatible with the G-Sync and the FreeSync?

Since both the technologies are extremely similar, the selection of either depends on the model of the computer you may have and what the requirement exactly is. Do note that some of the old NVIDIA and the AMD cards may be compatible with their respective technologies. Look out for them in your monitor because if you have an old version of them, then you would not need to revamp the graphics card at all.

AMD

As reported by the company, the following are the Graphics Processing Units that will be compatible with the FreeSync: Radeon R9 295X2, 290 series, 285X and 260 series. Other cards may still support the technology, but only while playing video and to save power.

NVIDIA

A lot of the older NVIDIA graphics cards like the TITAN, 780, 770, 760, 660, 670, 680, 690 and many more cards are compatible with the technology.

Conclusion

The conclusion from the above review is that there are a lot of older cards which does support the AMD FreeSync and the NVIDIA G-Sync so it is not necessary to overhaul the entire hardware system to accommodate one. Also, although the modern computer compatibility for FreeSync is more than compared the G-Sync, the latter also has some good brands under its name like Acer and Asus.

It may get a bit confusing for customers who prefer the adaptive technology at its finest. For this, you have to wait, compare the different monitors available in the market and see where the graphics game is progressing before making the decision. If you want to start afresh with a new graphics card, we recommend you AMD Free-Sync over G-Sync. This works great with even medium – range computers and the other extra costs are also minimized.

Response time defines the speed of your gaming experience. Professional gamers are aware of it and that is the reason they often choose monitors based on their response time. In this review, we will be looking into a combination of factors that can influence your ideal monitor response time.

How to measure response time?

Pixel response time

Response time can be defined as the time taken for a pixel to fully change its shade. For calculating the right response time, the standard shades of black and white are generally considered. In other words, the time taken for the pixels to change their color from black to white can be termed as the actual response time of a monitor. Nowadays, monitor dealers are provided response times based on the time taken for pixels to transform from gray to gray, which is fairly less compared to the time taken for changing from black to white.

Measuring units

Monitor response time is measured in ms or milliseconds. Shorter response times indicated by lower milliseconds can offer better quality visuals. Monitors that can provide a response time of 1 to 2 milliseconds are highly preferred for fast-paced games. While buying monitors, gray-to-gray response time would be mentioned as GTG and black-to-white as BTW. For enjoying very low response times, you would need TN displays. The minimum response time of an IPS panel is around 4 milliseconds or more.

Effects of high response time

Motion blur

The response time of a pixel can immensely affect the display of your monitor. In other words, the visual quality of your screen is determined by its response time. A high response time indicates that the pixels are slow in responding to the changing visuals. Motion blur is the most common phenomenon observed in monitors with a high response time. Since the pixels are unable to change their shades during fast camera movements they become blurred. This results in blurring of your video. In the case of fast-paced gaming, motion blur is a commonly observed defect.

Ghosting

Ghosting is an effect that generates multiple silhouettes of a fast-moving object that seem to follow the main object like shadows. This happens because the pixels take time to transform in response to the fast-paced changes in a video. This is a direct result of a high response time.

Most-used screen technologies

Modern monitors

Modern monitors make use of advanced technologies for producing an impactful display of moving images. They are made of IPS panels that are manufactured using “in-plane switching” technology. Even though they cannot provide a monitor response time of 1ms or 2ms, they are capable of optimum color reproduction and improved viewing angles. Both these features are essential for enhancing the viewing experience of a 3D game. Obviously, modern monitors come with an IPS display that has a minimum response time of 4ms to 6ms. You can check their image quality by visiting a nearby showroom where you can compare the effect of low and high response times on a fast-paced video.

TN displays

TN panels are used for making LCDs with twisted pneumatic effect. Gaming monitors made of TN displays can offer you a response time of 1ms. These types of LCDs were quite popular during the 1980s and 1990s. However, by the late 90s, this technology was replaced by IPS panels and manufacturers started using IPS screen technology for manufacturing their display units. However, TN panels lag behind when it comes to color quality and viewing angles.

How to find the best response time?

Direct comparison

Direct comparison is the best way to find out the difference between monitors that have low, medium and high response times. Visit any reputed hardware store in your city and they would show you a demonstration of how well their most modern gaming displays can perform. If you are not used to playing games on a monitor with 1ms or 2ms response time, then most probably you wouldn’t find any significant difference between monitors with a low response time and a medium response time.

Monitor vs. TV

For a quick comparison of response time, you can depend on your TV monitor. TVs usually have monitors with high response time when compared to desktop and laptop monitors. Although response time affects your picture quality, the impact may be negligible when compared to the overall visual quality. To understand the scenario you can take the example of different in-game frame rates. Although higher FPS indicates better picture quality, there are many gamers who prefer 30 FPS instead of 60 FPS because they are accustomed to it.

Conclusion

As explained above, monitors with TN displays are best when it comes to lowest monitor response time,but they may not be able to provide you with a realistic viewing angle or a dynamic color quality. On the other hand, you can enjoy a high-quality IPS display if you can adjust using a monitor with a 4ms response time which is quite reasonable.

We are aware of the fact that watching videos, surfing over browsers and other tools of productivity gets just better with more resolution such as with 1080p, 1440p and 4K. A better resolution sucks more graphical power on your PC or laptop, so if you want the best of gaming experience plus a peak computer performance, what should be the display you must be going for?

The types of display resolutions

A lot of content today streams in the 1080p resolution and it is undoubtedly the most popular. 1440p and even the 4K are slowly creeping into the market starting with the higher end models. Some of the most common resolutions apart from those which are available in the market include 720p, 480p and 360p. The highest end models available in the market is not 4K, some are even available as 8K.

The top gaming monitors

The 4K resolution, which is the successor of the 1080p, puts a great toll on an average graphics card because it is simply double of the 1080p resolution. The performance then depends on what configuration the PC is made of. Do note that for gaming, the frames per second have to be 60 throughout in-order to reduce lagging. The higher the frames per second, the better it is. Some computers can even handle 120 frames per second throughout the game play. If you have a unit that has a resolution of 1440p and a refresh value of 144Hz, you can enjoy unparalleled game play even at the highest resolution that is Full HD.

Suggestion

Our suggestion is not to go for 720p, although the videos with that resolution run nicely. The minimum requirement for the best gaming experience is 1080p, hands down. They are pretty affordable; some are available for even $100. A tip: Pick computers with the AMD FreeSync technology and this will enable great gaming without a hint of lag.

The best PC monitors, you need to buy

The AOC Q5277PWQ is the best in class, according to us. At just $300, you get the monitor with 1440p and the renowned IPS technology. Although the colors may not be as engaging as the more pricey alternatives, the visual experience is nice and the viewing angles are stunning.

IPS technology

The IPS technology is responsible for the wider display angles and the seamless game play. The computer does not have a USB port and that is its biggest minus. Even when the brightness is reduced, the screen remains free of flicker and the DC backlight system improves the comfort of viewing considerably even when watched at for longer time.

Cheaper option

If you are looking for an even cheaper option, you can opt for the Acer G257HL which is sized at 25 inches and the output resolution is 1080p. Although it does not have the higher grade fancy technologies, for the price, it ensures quality game play.

Looking for more pixels?

If you are planning to invest in a computer with a screen size more than 27 inches, then as for gaming is considered, this is important to pick the right option and no one would mind a deal or two, would they? Hardcore gamers are always looking to upgrade their systems and as a result, 1440p is becoming increasingly prevalent in the market. If the system is equipped with the AMD RX 480, it will be able to handle higher end gaming even at the resolution of 1440p and it can even support Virtual Reality Gaming.

Before opting for a 1440p investment, have a look at how the computer is performing in 1080p. If it is always pushing the limit in the refresh rates, then it is better to start investing on an upgraded version. Check out some other cool graphic card options and see they can be viable to handle the extra effort. A higher refresh rate means that the graphic card will remove the blurring and do not ‘tear’ the fast moving content.

The top 1440 monitor, you must buy

Dell Ultrasharp UT715H is our pick by a mile! Priced at $459, the resolution of 2550* 1440 is absolutely solid. Apart from this the computer is stuffed with the IPS technology, fine color reproduction, great connectivity and a pretty attractive look. It is not one of the newest releases in the market, but the quality it offers is like no other.

More: 1440p Monitor: please grab a cup of coffee for we shall be taking you to an amazing journey right inside the world of Best 1440p monitor in 2018.

4K monitor

The 4K resolution is a class apart from the others. It is a completely different power and must be employed only if the computer has enough graphic handling power. Even the NVIDIA GTX 1080 struggles with maintaining good 4K content throughout. Always remember that having the higher resolution is not enough, you will need high frames per second and dynamic graphic options to make the best use of the resolution.

Buying a 4K Monitor is your personal preference and must only depend on the money and goals you have for the gaming experience. If you have a full HD 21 inch system also, it must suffice. When purchasing the new monitor, do not just look at the resolution; also note that computing power that will put the resolution to use.

More: 4k Gaming Monitor:However, to purchase a 4K monitor will rely on why you want a monitor and how much you are willing to spend on it. To help you, I’ve selected the best 4K gaming monitors available today.

The top 4K monitor, you must buy

For this we pick the 27-inch wide, LG 27UD68P-B and this is the best one in the market. Armed with the IPS Panel, it is also integrated with the AMD FreeSync. The stand which comes with the monitor allows you to rotate and tilt the screen. The wider angles of viewing take gaming to another level and one such system is priced at $450.

Now, since the primary factors by which the computers have to be picked are response time, refresh rates and the FreeSync, let us have a look at these technologies further.

Time of response

It is the time measured by the manufacturer in milliseconds, in the duration when the computer can shift from gray to gray color. If you want to prevent ghosting of the screen, then the response time must be less than 5 ms.

Rate of Refresh

It is the number of times an image already being displayed on the screen; need to be refreshed per second so that the image does not appear to be flickering to the human eye. A refresh rate of 120 per second is recommended for gaming experiences.

FreeSync is one graphic system that is developed by AMD that disable screen tearing and prevent lagging of the game play. In the process, the monitor and the graphic card coordinate with each other to ensure that the screen refresh rate is equal to the refresh rate of the rendering. The G – Sync by NVIDIA is also a similar machine and a system having these is an ideal machine for a gamer.

Conclusion

So, at the end of the day, buying the best system for gaming depends on the three factors mentioned above, along with the resolution the system has to offer. Ideally, 4K offers the best experience out of the three, but most commonly, 1440p is used just because it is economical and provides a great difference as compared to the 1080p game play. As technologies evolve, more and more computers will get equipped with 4K and even move towards 8K.